HIS APPEARING AND HIS KINGDOM

Transcription

1 WESLEYAN HERITAGE Library Second Coming HIS APPEARING AND HIS KINGDOM By Rev. Duane V. Maxey Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord Heb 12:14 Spreading Scriptural Holiness to the World Wesleyan Heritage Publications 1997, 1998

2 HIS APPEARING AND HIS KINGDOM By Duane V. Maxey TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION SECTION I...HIS APPEARING PART A----THE CHRONOLOGY OF HIS APPEARING CHAPTER 1 THE OLIVET DISCOURSE CHAPTER 2 THE ELECT IN THE GREAT TRIBULATION CHAPTER 3 THE DAY OF THE LORD CHAPTER 4 HOW JESUS DESCRIBED HIS RETURN CHAPTER 5 WHAT THE GREEK WORDS INDICATE CHAPTER 6 THE RAPTURE PASSAGE CHAPTER 7 THE PROPHETIC CHRONOLOGY OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION CHAPTER 8 THE MILLENNIUM IN THE CHURCH AGE CHAPTER 9 THE 70TH WEEK OF DANIEL CHAPTER 10 THE END OF THE AGE

3 SECTION I...HIS APPEARING PART B----THE DAY OF HIS APPEARING CHAPTER 11 THE COMING OF THE DAY OF GOD CHAPTER 12 THE REVELATION OF CHRIST CHAPTER 13 THE CONVERSION OF ISRAEL CHAPTER 14 THE LAST TRUMP CHAPTER 15 THE GENERAL RESURRECTION CHAPTER 16 THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB CHAPTER 17 THE INDIGNATION CHAPTER 18 THE CONSUMPTION CHAPTER 19 THE GENERAL JUDGMENT CHAPTER 20 THE REGENERATION

4 SECTION II...HIS KINGDOM PART A----THE BIBLICAL CONCEPT OF HIS KINGDOM CHAPTER 21 THE KINGDOM INTERPRETED CHAPTER 22 THE KINGDOM AGE IS ETERNAL CHAPTER 23 THE KINGDOM FULFILLMENTS OF REV CHAPTER 24 THE KINGDOM KING AND OWNER CHAPTER 25 THE KINGDOM NATION, LAND, AND CITY CHAPTER 26 THE KINGDOM CHARACTERISTICS CHAPTER 27 THE KINGDOM TIME CHAPTER 28 THE KINGDOM MYSTERIES CHAPTER 29 THE KINGDOM APPEARANCE CHAPTER 30 THE KINGDOM BRIDE, NEW JERUSALEM CHAPTER 31 THE KINGDOM CONSUMMATION

5 SECTION II...HIS KINGDOM PART B----THE GLORY OF HIS KINGDOM CHAPTER 32 THE KINGDOM GLORY OF CHRIST CHAPTER 33 THE KINGDOM GLORY (ENSUING AND ETERNAL) CHAPTER 34 THE KINGDOM GLORY (CONSUMING-PUNISHING) CHAPTER 35 THE KINGDOM GLORY (HEIRS AND ALIENS) CHAPTER 36 THE KINGDOM GLORY (MAGNITUDE-CHANGE) SECTION III..THE APPENDICES APPENDIX A---PERFECT THROUGH SUFFERING APPENDIX B---THE EARLY CHURCH TRIBULATION BELIEF APPENDIX C---THE ORIGIN OF PRE-TRIB TEACHING APPENDIX D---THE ELEMENT OF UNCERTAINTY

6 HIS APPEARING AND HIS KINGDOM By Duane V. Maxey INTRODUCTION The title of this book was taken from 2 Timothy 4:1--"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom." Section I deals with prophetic subjects concerning "His appearing," and Section II deals with prophetic subjects related to "His kingdom". Section III consists of appendices A to D and the Index. Appendix D presents an aspect of the author's belief concerning the possible imminence of Christ's return which is not discussed in the main body of the book. I would encourage my readers to peruse all of the appendices, perhaps even before reading Section I. The basic aims of the first section are: (a) to demonstrate that the return of Christ will be a single-stage second coming after the great tribulation, and that Christians will be resurrected and raptured at that time, rather than before or during the seven-year tribulation; (b) to show that the millennium, in the church age, will expire before Christ's return, instead of taking place after His second coming. The main purpose of the second section is: (c) to show that, following Christ's second coming, the Messianic kingdom will take place in the eternal state of the new heaven and new earth, and not during an additional millennium of time on this earth. The author has arrived at these positions after much study, dating back to the 1970's. I realize that there are many good and Godly people who hold much different views from those put forth in this book, and it is not my desire to create needless controversy concerning second coming prophecy. However, it is my persuasion that the Bible supports the prophetic positions set forth in this volume, and those positions represent the honest views of this writer. Realizing that some who read these pages may question the scriptural basis for various statements, I have included numerous Bible quotations throughout the main body of this book. Thus, my readers can more readily and easily examine the Biblical foundation of each of the prophetic positions which are put forth by the author. My readers will also observe that there is some repetition in this book, but "line upon line, precept upon precept" is sometimes the best way to fix a truth in one's mind.

7 It is hoped that this book will be a channel of enlightenment and blessing to all who read it. Beyond that, this volume is sent forth with the prayer that it will glorify Christ and help at least some of His Church to be better prepared for "His appearing and His Kingdom." Duane V. Maxey, Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, June 3, 1992

8 HIS APPEARING AND HIS KINGDOM By Duane V. Maxey CHAPTER 1 THE OLIVET DISCOURSE "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Rev. 19:10 He is both the divine Author and ultimate Authority on the interpretation of all prophecy. Therefore the chronology of second coming events which Jesus set forth in His great Olivet Discourse should be accepted, without alteration or rearrangement, as the Divine order we must follow to interpret those occurrences in their proper sequence. Rearranging that order leads to both error and confusion in one's interpretation of second coming prophecy. On the other hand, following that order will help to clarify and to correct one's perception of the subject. Further, when all second coming prophecy is interpreted according to Jesus' chronology in the Olivet Discourse, a beautiful symmetry and harmony on the subject may be seen throughout the Bible. The scope of this discourse, which was given in response to a three-fold question from His disciples, extends from events then close at hand on through to "the end of the world," or end of the age (CKYPQL). Matt. 24:1-3 The Olivet Discourse is found in Matthew 24:4--25:46. Under 12 divisions, the entire text of the discourse is presented below. Following this, the 12 divisions are again listed with references only. Presented thus, the reader can examine both the author's perceived divisions in relationship to their various scriptures and those divisions in their immediate chronological relationship to one another. The chronology of events and subjects which Jesus related in The Olivet Discourse is seen to be as follows: 1. The Beginning of Sorrows--Matt. 24:4-8 (4) And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. (5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (6) And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. (7) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (8) All these are the beginning of sorrows. 2. Persecution, Apostasy, Perseverance--Matt. 24:9-13 (9) Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. (10) And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. (11) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (12) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (13) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 3. The World-Wide Preaching of The Gospel--Matt. 24:14

9 (14) And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 4. THE GREAT TRIBULATION--Matt. 24:15-22 (15) When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) (16) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: (17) Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: (18) Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. (19) And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! (20) But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: (21) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (22) And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 5. Instructions About His Second Coming--Matt. 24:23-28 (23) Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. (24) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (25) Behold, I have told you before. (26) Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. (27) For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (28) For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. 6. The Cosmic Signs Ushering In The Day of The Lord--Matt. 24:29 (29) Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 7. THE GLORIOUS SECOND COMING OF CHRIST--Matt. 24:30 (30) And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 8. THE RESURRECTION AND RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS--Matt. 24:31 (31) And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 9. Teachings About Readiness For His Return--Matt. 24:32-51 (32) Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: (33) So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is

10 near, even at the doors. (34) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. (35) Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (36) But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (37) But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (38) For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, (39) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (40) Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (41) Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.(42) Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (43) But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. (44) Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (45) Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? (46) Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. (47) Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. (48) But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; (49) And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; (50) The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, (51) And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 10. The Marriage of The Bridegroom--Matt. 25:1-13 (1) Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. (2) And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. (3) They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: (4) But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (5) While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. (6) And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. (7) Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. (8) And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. (9) But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. (10) And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (11) Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. (12) But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. (13) Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. 11. The Judgment of All--Matt. 25:14-33 (That of Servants and That of All Nations=All Individuals) (14) For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. (15) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. (16) Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. (17) And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. (18) But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. (19) After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. (20) And so he that had received five talents

11 came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. (21) His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (22) He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. (23) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (24) Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed: (25) And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. (26) His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed: (27) Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. (28) Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. (29) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. (30) And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (31) When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: (32) And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: (33) And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 12. The Eternal State--Matt. 25:34-46 (34) Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: (35) For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: (36) Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. (37) Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? (38) When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? (39) Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? (40) And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (41) Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: (42) For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: (43) I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. (44) Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? (45) Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. (46) And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. 1. The Beginning of Sorrows--Matt. 24: Persecution, Apostasy, Perseverance--Matt. 24: The World-Wide Preaching of The Gospel--Matt. 24:14

12 4. THE GREAT TRIBULATION--Matt. 24: Instructions About His Second Coming--Matt. 24: The Cosmic Signs Ushering In The Day of The Lord--Matt. 24:29 7. THE GLORIOUS SECOND COMING OF CHRIST--Matt. 24:30 8. THE RESURRECTION AND RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS--Matt. 24:31 9. Teachings About Readiness For His Return--Matt. 24: The Marriage of The Bridegroom--Matt. 25: The Judgment of All--Matt. 25: The Eternal State--Matt. 25:34-46 Tracing the simple but divinely authoritative chronology given in the Olivet Discourse, note the following observations: (a) The rapture will occur after, not before or during, the time of the tribulation or great tribulation. (see the preceding numbers 4 and 8, and the remainder of section I of this book) (b) The "elect" will pass through, not be raptured out of, the great tribulation. (see Matt. 24:21-22 and Chapter 2 of this book) (c) We are not to look for a "secret" appearance of Christ for His saints. (see Matt. 24:23-27, also Chapter 4 and Appendix C of this book) (d) The second coming of Christ will be a glorious, visible, single-stage return after the great tribulation, and it will be at this revelation, not 7 years earlier, that the saints will meet him in the air. (see the preceding numbers 5,6,7; Matt. 24:29-31; and Chapters 4,5,6, and 12 of this book) (e) The marriage supper of the Lamb and the Judgment will occur after, not during the tribulation period. (see the preceding numbers 4,10,11, the content of their scripture references, and Chapter 16 of this book) (f) The great white throne Judgment of all, which shall divide the sheep from the goats, will occur shortly after Jesus returns, and not 1000 years later. (see Matt. 25:14-46 which is synonymous with Rev 20:11-15, and Chapter 19 of this book) (g) Jesus' Messianic reign with His saints will occur, not on this earth, but in the heavenly, eternal state which will begin shortly after His Return, and not following an additional millennium in this world. (see number 12 above, Matt. 25:34-46, and Section II of this book)

13 As unusual as these prophetic observations may seem to some, it is asserted by the writer that they reflect the order of second coming events which Jesus set forth and the correct Bible chronology which harmonizes with the entire body of prophetic scriptures. In the following pages and chapters of this book I will endeavor to demonstrate to the reader, scripturally and repeatedly just how and why this is so.

14 HIS APPEARING AND HIS KINGDOM By Duane V. Maxey CHAPTER 2 THE ELECT IN THE GREAT TRIBULATION Matt. 24:21-22 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (22) And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. The "elect" will definitely be in the great tribulation. The question is concerning their identity. Who Are The Elect? Regardless of whatever assertions may be made that these particular "elect" are the Jewish remnant, if it can be shown that, to the contrary, they are in fact a part of the Church, then we must conclude that the rapture does not occur before the great tribulation. Consider the following: The word "elect" in our KJV New Testament is translated from the Greek word "GMNGMVQL" which means: "laid out, chosen, choice." Sometimes "GMNGMVQL" is translated "elect" and other times it is translated "chosen," but whether it is translated "elect" or "chosen" the meaning is the same. For the sake of convenience, every reference in this chapter to this Greek word will be listed simply as "GMNGMVQL" instead of in its various forms, for the forms of the word do not change the root meaning of the word. The word GMNGMVQL locates the elect as in the great tribulation both in Matt. 24:22 and in Matt. 24:24. By way of showing that we have no scriptural authority for stating that these elect are Jews and not part of the Church, let us consider an earlier reference Jesus made to the elect in Matt. 22:14. Here He said: "For many are called, but few are chosen." (or elect, GMNGMVQL) The statement was made at the close of the following parable: Matt. 22:1-14 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, (2) The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, (3) And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. (4) Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. (5) But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: (6) And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. (7) But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. (8) Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. (9) Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. (10) So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. (11) And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: (12) And he saith unto him,

15 Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. (13) Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (14) For many are called, but few are chosen. (elect, GMNGMVQL) In verses 1-7 of the above parable, those of the Jewish nation who rejected Christ are likened unto those who were called to the marriage that a certain king made for his son. By failing to come when bidden, and by entreating spitefully and even slaying those who bid them, they proved themselves unworthy. In righteous wrath the king "sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned their city." Following this, in verses 8-14, the Gentiles are brought into view. The king sent his servants out into the highways with instructions to bid as many as they could find to the marriage, and the wedding was furnished with guests. This pictures the invitation to salvation being given to the Gentiles and their response. Finally, the king came in to see the guests and "he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment." He was taken away and cast into outer darkness, "For many are called, but few are chosen." (elect, GMNGMVQL) The Elect Are Those Wearing The Wedding Garment In Jesus' parable we can see the following: (a) The elect are those who accepted the king's invitation. (b) The elect are those who have on the wedding garment. All who have on the wedding garment will be at the wedding feast. Further, holiness people equate having on the wedding garment with being sanctified wholly, and this is scriptural: "Elect (GMNGMVQL) according to the foreknowledge of God through sanctification of the Spirit.." 1 Pet. 1:2 When you are sanctified wholly by the fiery baptism of the Spirit, you have on the wedding garment. Consider also Col. 3:12 "Put on therefore, as the elect (GMNGMVQL) of God, holy and beloved...kindness, humbleness of mind.." Both in Jesus' parable and in the above verses the elect are obviously not Jewish believers only, but rather they are sanctified believers which constitute the Church of Christ, including both Jews and Gentiles. That the elect of the New Testament constitute the Church, and not simply a Jewish remnant during the tribulation, is further verified by the following verses: (a) Luke 18:7 "And shall not God avenge his own elect (GNGMVQL) which cry unto him day and night..;" (b) Rom. 8:33 "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect?" (GMNGMVQL); (c) Titus 1:1 "according to the faith of God's elect" (GMNGMVQL). The remnant of Israel does constitute a part of the elect. Paul wrote: "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election (GMNQIG) of grace." Rom. 11:5 And, "as

16 touching the election, they (the Jews) are beloved for the fathers' sakes." Rom. 11:28 However, while believing Israel is a part of "God's elect," there is no scriptural authority for designating the elect of the great tribulation as not part of the Church. The Elect Will Pass Through The Great Tribulation There is much evidence to support the fact that the elect down to the end of the age, including the time of the great tribulation, are none other than the Church of Christ. That being the case, Jesus' Olivet Discourse plainly reveals that the Church will pass through the great tribulation instead of being raptured to heaven before it begins. There is yet another difficulty in this matter for those who assert that the marriage supper of the Lamb will take place in heaven during the 7-year tribulation period. If the elect, as has been shown, are those who have on the wedding garment of holiness, then how is it possible for the marriage supper to be transpiring in heaven while they are still on earth during that time? It is those who have on the wedding garment of holiness who will indeed be called to the marriage supper, and if those elect are seen as still on earth during the great tribulation, then obviously the marriage supper will take place after that time. This corresponds exactly with Jesus' chronology in the Olivet Discourse: He mentioned the marriage after, not before or during, the great tribulation. See the listing below: The Beginning of Sorrows--Matt. 24:4-8 Persecution, Apostasy, Perseverance--Matt. 24:9-13 The World-Wide Preaching of The Gospel--Matt. 24:14 The Great Tribulation--Matt. 24:15-22 Instructions About His Second Coming--Matt. 24:23-28 The Cosmic Signs Ushering In The Day of The Lord--Matt. 24:29 The Glorious Second Coming of Christ--Matt. 24:30 Teachings About Readiness For His Return--Matt. 24:32-51 The Marriage of The Bridegroom--Matt. 25:1-13 The Judgment of All--Matt. 25:14-33 The Eternal State--Matt. 25:34-46

17 HIS APPEARING AND HIS KINGDOM By Duane V. Maxey CHAPTER 3 THE DAY OF THE LORD Knowing When That Day Begins In order to interpret second coming events in their proper sequence it is important to have a clear understanding about when "the day of the Lord" begins. Therefore before any attempt is made to describe just "what is" the day of the Lord, let us study just "when is" the day of the Lord in relationship to the tribulation period. The Tribulation Not Part Of That Day The tribulation is not part of the day of the Lord, for the day of the Lord commences "immediately after the tribulation." Joel and Jesus together pinpoint for us when the day of the Lord begins. The prophet Joel locates certain cosmic signs as occurring before the day of the Lord, and Jesus locates those same cosmic signs as occurring after the tribulation: Joel 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. Matt. 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. The Great Tribulation Precedes That Day The conclusion from the evidence of these two scriptures is obvious: The cosmic signs divide the tribulation from the day of the Lord, and therefore the tribulation cannot be in any way interpreted as a part of the day of the Lord. They are two distinct time periods separated from one another thus by the cosmic signs: A B C THE GREAT TRIBULATION THE COSMIC SIGNS THE DAY OF THE LORD The fact that cosmic signs will usher in the day of the Lord is also seen in the following passages as well: Isa. 13:9-10,13 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh.. (10) For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.. (13)..I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

18 Isa. 24:23 The moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign...gloriously. Joel 3: The day of the Lord is near.. (15) The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. Zeph. 1:14-15 The great day of the Lord is near... (15) That day is..a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness. Acts 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come. Various Terms For The One and Same Day Various titles are used in the scripture in reference to the Lord, but they all refer to that one divine Person. In like manner, it is concluded, while various terms are used in the scripture in reference to the day of the Lord, all of these terms refer to the same day. The following table is presented for the student who may desire to study this matter in greater depth: "The Day of The Lord" Isa. 2:12; 13:6,9,13; Ezek. 30:3; Joel 2:31; 3:14-15; Obad. 15; Zeph. 1:7,14; 2:3; Zech. 14:1; Mal. 4:5; Acts 2:20; 1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Pet. 3:10; 1 Thess. 5:2 "That Day" Isa. 2:11,17,20; 11:10-12:6; 14:3; 19:16-24; 24:21; 25:9; 26:1; 27:2,12,13; 28:5; 31:7; 52:6; Hos. 2:16,18,21; Joel 3:18; Amos 8:9-10; Micah 4:6; Zeph. 1:10,15; 3:8-11,16; Zech. 2:11; 3: :16; 12:3-11; 13:1-4; 14:6; Mal. 3:17; Matt. 7:22; 24:36; 26:29; Mark 13:32; 14:25; Luke 10:12; 17:31; 21:34; John 14:19-20; 1 Thess. 5:4; 2 Thess. 1:10; 2 Tim. 1:12,18; 4:8 Other Terms For The Day of The Lord: "The day of visitation" Isa. 10:3; 1 Pet. 2:12; "the day of His fierce anger" Isa. 13:13; "the day of vengeance" Isa. 34:8; 61:2; 63:4; "the day of His coming" Mal. 3:2; "the last day" John 6:39,40,44,54; 11:24; 12:48; "the day of God" 2 Pet. 3:12; "the great day of God Almighty" Rev. 16:14; "the day of wrath" Rom. 2:5; "the great day of His wrath" Rev. 6:17; "the day" Lu. 17:30; Rom. 13:12; 1 Cor. 3:13; Heb. 10:25; 2 Pet.1:19; "the day of redemption" Eph. 4:30; "the day of Christ" Philip. 1:10; 2:16; 2 Thess. 2:2; "the day of Jesus Christ" Philip. 1:6; "the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Cor. 1:8; 2 Cor. 1:14; "the Son of man in His day" Lu. 17:24 The reader is asked to bear in mind that while some Old Testament references to the day of the Lord may have had their nearer fulfillment in Israel's history, they may also have their greater fulfillment on that awesome, coming day at the end of the age.

19 Some have made a distinction between "the day of Christ" and "the day of the Lord," but there is no scriptural warrant for doing so. Jesus Christ is Lord, and therefore "the day of Christ" must also be "the day of the Lord." This being true, 2 Thess. 2:1-8 also locates the day of the Lord as beginning after the tribulation. Here, concerning the day of Christ, Paul taught that first, before that day, must come the time during which the "man of sin" shall rule the world. That time will be during the tribulation period and will close at the end of the great tribulation when he will be consumed "by the spirit of His (Christ's) mouth" and destroyed "with the brightness of His coming. The sequence of events here should be obvious: (a) First shall come the tribulation period during which the man of sin shall rule the earth. (b) Then shall come the day of Christ or day of the Lord after the tribulation when Christ will utterly consume and destroy anti-christ. What are the events which shall occur on the day of the Lord? Obviously, one of them shall be the destruction of anti-christ, but the author will relate more fully the things which shall take place on "that day" in the later pages and chapters of this book. (see Part B this Section) For now, let the reader fix clearly in mind the fact that the tribulation period is not part of the day of the Lord, and that the day of the Lord shall begin "immediately after the tribulation," being ushered in by the cosmic signs mentioned by Jesus in Matt. 24:29. Since it is important toward pinpointing the chronological time frame of a number of second coming events, the reader is asked to continually bear these facts in mind while reading the remainder of this book. The Church On Earth Until That Day Finally, it is plain from the scriptures that the church will be on earth until the day of Christ, and this fact precludes a pre-tribulation rapture: "He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ...That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence until the day of Christ." Philip. 1:6,10 "The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night..and they (the wicked) shall not escape..but ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." 1 Thess. 5:2-4 Until the day of the Lord comes, after the tribulation, Christ will continue to perform or perfect His spiritual work in the heart of each Christian, and His watchful "brethren" shall be looking for Christ's return on that day. The matters of imminence and uncertainty as to the precise time of Christ's return are discussed in Appendix D. It is the persuasion of this author that it is uncertainty in this regard, rather than imminence, which demands our watchfulness. In no case should the scriptural chronology of second coming events be rearranged to accommodate or emphasize these factors. Further, whatever one may believe in regard to them, it is clear from the Bible that Christians will be on earth until the day of the Lord comes, and that day will not arrive until after the great tribulation.

20 HIS APPEARING AND HIS KINGDOM By Duane V. Maxey CHAPTER 4 HOW JESUS DESCRIBED HIS RETURN A Singular Event, After The Tribulation In the Olivet Discourse, and elsewhere in the Bible, Jesus described His second coming as a singular event which would take place after the tribulation, and not as a split event, the rapture taking place before or during the tribulation, and the revelation taking place after the tribulation. In John 14:3, He did not say "I will come again and again," but simply "if I go..i will come again.." Consider the following from the Olivet Discourse: The disciples asked Him, "What shall be the sign of thy coming?" (singular, not comings plural) Matt. 24:3 Then from 24:27 "So shall also the coming (singular) of the Son of man be." Matt. 24:33 "So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it (singular) is near, even at the doors." Matt. 24:37 "So shall also the coming (singular) of the Son of man be." Matt. 24:39 "So shall also the coming (singular) of the Son of man be." This author asserts that in these references, as well as all other statements Jesus made about His second coming, He was describing a singular event rather than a double or split event with 3 1/2 or 7 years intervening between the rapture and the revelation. Further, to assert that "the coming of the Son of man" mentioned in Matt. 24:27; Matt. 24:37; and Matt. 24:39 has reference to the rapture, while "the Son of man coming" mentioned in Matt. 24:30 refers to the revelation, seems to this author to be quite obviously making a distinction which is not there. Who from the context can show that "the coming of the Son of man" and "the Son of man coming" refer to two different events? If one were to read Matthew 24 without having been previously schooled to interpret differently, the reader would naturally take "the coming of the Son of man" and "the Son of man coming" to be in reference to the same event, and rightly so. The problem which pre-tribulationists have with the above, simple conclusion is that if they were to allow that these very similar phrases refer to one and the same event, then they would be also forced to conclude that the rapture will occur after the tribulation because "the Son of man coming" phrase in Matt. 24:30 obviously refers to an event which occurs after the tribulation. The simple solution to this problem is to allow that these similar phrases do indeed refer to a singular, second coming event the whole of which shall occur after the tribulation. There are two aspects of the singular, second coming: (1) The revelation; and (2) The rapture. However, Jesus pictured these as occurring together and after the great tribulation. "Immediately after the tribulation": (1) The revelation: "then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven..and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.."

21 (2) The rapture: "And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." Matt. 24:29-31 From the above, one can see that if indeed one of these aspects were to precede the other it would be the revelation preceding the rapture and not vice versa. A sensible interpretation is that at the revelation the rapture shall occur, both being but two aspects of the singular, second coming of Christ after the great tribulation. A Sudden, Surprising Event, On The Day Of The Lord Nowhere did Jesus describe any aspect of His second coming as "secret," but He did describe His second coming as both sudden and surprising: "Wherefore if they shall say unto you..behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matt. 24:26-27 Contrary to depicting His second coming and meeting with His followers as something "secret," Jesus portrayed it as like "the lightning..shineth.." Lightning "shineth" suddenly and surprisingly, but not secretly! There is often loud thunder following the flashing brilliance of a streak of lightning and such a magnitude of both sight and sound that everyone around knows about it. No, lightning is not secret, but it is sudden and often surprises people. When it strikes there is no time then to prepare for it if you are not already prepared! Thus did Jesus characterize His revelation and the rapture on the day of the Lord. These events will be highly visible and audible, but will strike like lightning, "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump." 1 Cor. 15:52 The entire world from "the east..even unto the west" will suddenly see Christ coming in the clouds, but the rapture will be over so quickly that there will be no time then to get ready. By the time a previously impenitent soul blinked his eyes shut to say a prayer, in that "twinkling of an eye" it would be forever too late to get his prayer through. It will not be secrecy, but the sudden surprise of the revelation and rapture which will snare the millions unprepared for Jesus' second coming. An Event Requiring Personal Readiness And Scriptural Watchfulness In Matt. 24:32-35 Jesus made two things clear: (1) The fulfillment of all preceding signs to His second coming would be the means whereby His disciples could know that the revelation and rapture were near; and (2) The disciples were to look for the fulfillment of His Olivet Discourse prophecy exactly according to His word: "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

22 Those who insist that uncertainty concerning the precise day and hour means that the rapture could not occur after the great tribulation might do well to take a hard look at the above two facts. I assert that Jesus did not tell us to expect the rapture before the tribulation, but to the contrary: (1) He told us we could know that it was near when we saw "all these things" which He said would precede His revelation and the rapture, including "the beginning of sorrows," "the abomination of desolation," and "great tribulation". (2) He told us that His "words" concerning these coming prophetic events would take place exactly as He said they would, for His words were the authoritative words of God and would never "pass away". In light of this, should we not look for a post-tribulational revelation and rapture, in exact accordance with Jesus "words" concerning them?: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days...then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven...then..they shall see the Son of man coming...and..gather together his elect." Matt. 24:29-31 The Precise Day And Hour Will Not Be Known However, while Jesus showed us how we could know when the rapture was "near, even at the doors," He also made it clear that no man could predict the precise date and time of its occurrence: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man...ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." Matt. 24:36,42 Even though the revelation and rapture occur after the tribulation, the following fact alone will make knowledge of the precise day and hour impossible to know: "For the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." Matt. 24:22 The days of the great tribulation shall be shortened, but shortened how many days? Only the Father knows that. Therefore, spiritual readiness and scriptural watchfulness is required: "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Matt. 24:42-44 Four times in the scriptures Jesus warned that He would come unexpectedly "as a thief": Matt. 24:13; Lu. 12:39; Rev. 3:3; and Rev. 16:15. However, in every one of these references He includes the inference that careful "watching" would make it possible for Christians to prevent being robbed of their readiness to meet Him in the air at His second coming. The Day When Christ Will Come "As A Thief" Again, does the fact that Jesus will come upon millions "as a thief" mean that the revelation and rapture will occur before or during, and not after, the tribulation? No, not according to the scriptures, for while we cannot know the calendar day when Jesus will come "as a thief," we can know the prophetic day when He will thus come. Jesus' coming "as a thief" will occur on the post-tribulational "day of the Lord": "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in

23 the night..but ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." 1 Thess. 5:2,4 "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.." 2 Pet. 3:10 We should not rearrange the Bible chronology of second coming events to accommodate our system of prophetic interpretation. That which demands our watchfulness is uncertainty concerning the precise day and hour of Christ's return, rather than a certainty that His second coming is imminent. While the possibility of Christ's return being imminent can present a strong incentive toward personal readiness, it is also true that our watchfulness should be a scriptural watchfulness, and we should expect Jesus to come, according to the scriptures, "as a thief" on the day which shall come "as a thief," the post-tribulational "day of the Lord". (see also Appendix D)

24 HIS APPEARING AND HIS KINGDOM By Duane V. Maxey CHAPTER 5 WHAT THE GREEK WORDS INDICATE The following three Greek words have a bearing on the correct interpretation of second coming chronology: CRQMCNW[UKP, GRKHCPGKCL, and RCTQWUKCL. Some have interpreted that the word CRQMCNW[UKP refers to the revelation after the tribulation while the word RCTQWUKCLýrefers to the rapture before or during the tribulation. However, there is no indication of such from either their meaning or from the contexts in which those words are used. Instead, every indication from both the meaning and scriptural contexts of all three Greek words is that they are used synonymously in reference to the post-tribulational revelation of Christ and rapture of the saints. The Word Apokalupsis (CRQMCNW[UKP) The Greek word CRQMCNW[UKP means: an uncovering, or revelation. It is used to describe the glorious, visible return of Christ at the close of the great tribulation, and I know of no pre-tribulationists who would dispute this. However, if it can be demonstrated that Christians: (a) are waiting for the CRQMCNW[UKP; (b) will receive rest at the CRQMCNW[UKP; (c) will be tried until the CRQMCNW[UKP; and (4) will be glorified at the CRQMCNW[UKP, then it should become plain to all that the rapture of the church will occur at the revelation after the great tribulation, and not 3 1/2 or 7 years earlier. I Cor. 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming (CRQMCNW[UKP) of our Lord Jesus Christ.. In what sense could Christians be waiting for the CRQMCNW[UKP, or revelation, after the great tribulation if they were gone to heaven 7 or 3 1/2 years before the CRQMCNW[UKP occurs? 2 Thess. 1:7-10 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed (CRQMCNW[UKP) from heaven with his mighty angels, (8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (10) When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. The word "rest" in verse 7 above is a noun, not a verb. The Thessalonian Christians were being persecuted and troubled by unbelievers. (1:4-7) First Paul assured them that God would properly recompense those who troubled them, and then he also assured the persecuted Thessalonian Christians that God would recompence "rest" to "you who are troubled." Thus, these Christians were promised here that God would give them "rest" from their persecution and troubles "with us" (with

25 Paul) "When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed (CRQMCNW[UKP) from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire.." The time to which Paul pointed as the time when both the Thessalonian Christians and himself would receive God's "rest" from all their earthly troubles was at the time of Christ's revelation after the tribulation. This passage indicates that for all Christians "rest" and the "glorified" state shall come to them at the revelation, which of course means that the rapture will occur after the tribulation. 1 Pet. 1:5,7,9 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed (CRQMCNWHSJPCK) in the last time. (7) That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing (CRQMCNW[GK) of Jesus Christ: (9) Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Quite obviously, the apostle Peter tells us here that the Christian's faith will be tried, even with fire, until the revelation of Jesus Christ. It can also be seen here that it will be at this post tribulational revelation that Christians will "receive the end of their faith" and their final salvation will be revealed (CRQMCNWHSJPCK) at this "last time". This all, of course, precludes a pretribulation rapture. I Pet. 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation (CRQMCNW[GK) of Jesus Christ. Notice that Peter says in this verse that "grace" will be brought unto the Christian at the revelation of Jesus Christ. What "grace" will this be? Will it be the grace of justification, or the grace of entire sanctification? No, for these works of grace are available to seekers now. The answer is that it will be the grace of glorification which Christians shall receive at the revelation. The above verse also, then, points to the post-tribulational rapture of the Church, for who would question that the saints will be glorified at the resurrection and rapture of the just? If then the scripture tells us that Christians will be glorified at the post-tribulational revelation of Christ, then we must also conclude that the rapture will occur at that same time. The Word Epiphany (GRKHCPGKCL) The Greek word GRKHCPGKCL means: a shining forth, or manifestation, and along with CRQMCNW[GK this word is used to describe the glorious, visible return of the Lord after the great tribulation. Once again, if it can be shown from the scripture that Christians: (a) wait for the GRKHCPGKCL; (b) look for the GRKHCPGKCL; and (c) love the GRKHCPGKCL, which shall occur after the tribulation on the day of the Lord, then the rapture will also occur at that same time. 1 Tim. 6:14-15 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing (GRKHCPGKCL, shining forth) of our Lord Jesus Christ: (15) Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.